Mechanical Fitter - Rayleigh

National Grid plc; Wickford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle from home to work

Bonus up to 4% (2026)

Overtime pay

26 days holiday + 8 statutory days

Pension up to 18%

Paid overtime + weekend work

Job summary

National Grid plc is seeking a mechanically biased engineer to maintain, repair and overhaul equipment across high‑voltage substations. The role is outdoor, site‑based and involves working at height, with training provided at our Nottinghamshire centre and occasional away‑from‑home stays.

You will undertake stripping, inspection and rebuilding of components, diagnose faults, install refurbishments and support planned maintenance with overtime and a company vehicle from home to work.

Qualifications

• Recognised mechanical apprenticeship or NVQ/Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering with fitting experience.
• Strong mechanical maintenance, overhaul or installation experience.
• Experience stripping, rebuilding and repairing plant and equipment.
• Confidence using hand tools, power tools, precision measuring equipment and torque tools.
• Proactive fault finding and problem solving.
• Commitment to safe working practices and ability to work at height.

Responsibilities

• Stripping, inspecting and rebuilding mechanical components.
• Diagnosing faults and carrying out repairs.
• Replacing worn and ageing components including bearings, seals and moving parts.
• Installing new or refurbished equipment.
• Supporting planned maintenance and emergency breakdown response.
• Performing routine inspections and condition monitoring.

Skills

Mechanical apprenticeship

Level 3 Mechanical

Maintenance experience

Hand tools

Problem solving

Safety at height

Driving licence

IT/computer literacy

Education

Mechanical apprenticeship

NVQ/Level 3 Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Keep Britain's electricity network moving — and help power the future.

National Grid is investing heavily in the UK's electricity transmission network, expanding and modernising substations to meet future energy needs. We're growing our Essex team and looking for a skilled engineer ready to build a long-term career maintaining some of the country's most critical infrastructure.

Pay and Benefits

• Salary package £47,213 pa including allowance.
• Paid overtime + Bonus (2026 – up to 4%), Company commercial vehicle from home to work.
• 26 days holiday plus 8 statutory days, Contribution Pension - Employee and Company Max Total 18%.
• Hours - 37 Avg Monday to Friday, Days only (Winter 36 hrs / Summer 38 hrs - 4 day working pattern).

This hands-on, mechanically biased engineering role involves maintaining, repairing and overhauling the equipment that keeps National Grid's Electricity Transmission substations operating safely and efficiently.

Working predominantly outdoors and sometime at height on a mobile platform, you'll carry out a wide range of maintenance activities including:

• Stripping, inspecting and rebuilding mechanical components
• Diagnosing faults and carrying out repairs
• Replacing worn and ageing components including bearings, seals, fasteners and moving parts
• Installing new or refurbished equipment
• Supporting planned maintenance and emergency breakdown response
• Performing routine inspections and condition monitoring

You'll work on specialist equipment including:

• Power transformers
• High-speed on-load tap changers
• Air compressor systems
• Cable systems
• Ancillary equipment across high-voltage substations.

Every day brings new challenges, from rebuilding equipment and aligning components to solving mechanical faults. We'll provide industry-leading training at our Eakring Training Centre in Nottinghamshire, alongside practical site learning, to help you build specialist high-voltage engineering expertise. Training may include occasional stays away from home, supported by overnight and mobility allowances. Some weekend working is required, with paid overtime available.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

We're keen to hear from candidates with:

• A recognised apprenticeship in Mechanical engineering, or an NVQ/Level 3 Mechanical engineering qualification with relevant fitting experience.
• Strong mechanical maintenance, overhaul or installation experience.
• Experience stripping, rebuilding and repairing plant and equipment.
• Confidence using hand tools, power tools, precision measuring equipment and torque tools.
• A proactive approach to fault finding and problem solving.
• A strong commitment to safe working practices and can work at height.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Confidence using a computer and iPad.
• You live within approximately within 30 minutes travelto Rayleigh, Essex.

It would be great if you also have:

• Experience working on high-voltage equipment
• Previous experience within power generation, utilities, manufacturing, heavy engineering or process industries
• NEBOSH or IOSH qualifications

Please note that visa sponsorship and relocation packages are not available for this role.

Build a career that powers the UK

If you want a role where your skills are valued, your development is supported and your work makes a genuine difference, we'd love to hear from you.

National Grid operates in both the UK and US, with a broad portfolio of energy businesses dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power.

From electricity and gas transmission to advancing clean energy and modernising grids, our work covers every aspect of the energy system.

Our energy flows through absolutely everything we do

Life here at National Grid is more than just our purpose or our values, it’s everything we put into everything we do. It’s our commitment to diversity and inclusion; how we help our employees learn and grow; and how we partner with and support the communities where we live and work. It’s all this, and so much more.

We leverage our collective strengths to do meaningful BIG work so that we can be at the heart of a fair and affordable energy future.

Your salary is reviewed each year against the market for your role, skills, knowledge and experience.

Incentive

Annual performance plan or bonus (depending on your role) rewards your contribution to our success each year.

Retirement

Generous pension plan with company contributions up to 12%.

Private medical insurance for self and family.